One spot left for Fall Writing Retreat at the Briars, Nov 2 – 4, Jackson's Point on Lake Simcoe {And sign up early for the spring Algonquin retreat}

Note:
We’ll also have a late spring retreat, May 31 – June 3, 2019, in Algonquin Park
at Arowhon Pinesresort. Sign up early to get the 2018 rates. See here.

Give yourself a weekend of writing
time – a weekend of instruction, inspiration and
creativity. Award yourself with time away from distractions, with no dishes to
do, delicious food at every meal, and with the leisure you need to sit
with your feet up and write.

The retreat will feature both instruction
and guided writing exercises, plus one-on-one critiquing and coaching from
Brian. You’ll also have lots of time to relax, rejuvenate, and reconnect
with your creativity. All writing levels welcome. Whether
you’re just beginning or have a novel in progress, please join us.

The Peacock House

The setting:Originally
a Regency-style Manor House built by Captain William Bourchier in 1840, the
estate was purchased in 1870 by Dr. Frank Sibbald, who added two wings to the
manor house, a coach house, a brick stable and of course a peacock house,
because where else are you going to keep your peacocks?

The Briars also has a storied literary history. Humorist
Stephen Leacock was a great friend of the Sibbalds, visited often, and is
buried just down the road from the resort at the pretty St. George’s
churchyard, as is author Mazo de la Roche. De la
Roche’s Jalna series
were worldwide bestsellers, making her one of Canada’s bestselling authors
ever. Indeed, her books are still available from Dundurn Press.

Today, the Briars still offers the
warmth of a country estate steeped in history while providing all the benefits
of an extensive, modern lakeside resort.

Rates include accommodation.For the retreat, we have our own lodge, the Mayfair, with ten rooms, each entirely
private, with a king, a queen, or two twin beds, an en-suite
four-piece bathroom, and a desk for writing. The eight downstairs rooms each has
a deck. The large, comfortable second-story living room features a wet bar and
refrigerator (so do bring your own wine or beer if you like) and coffee
service.

All meals – Friday dinner, Saturday
breakfast, lunch and dinner, Sunday breakfast and lunch – are provided, as are
coffee & snack breaks on Saturday. Alcoholic beverages are extra, as are
Spa treatments – but you might want to check those out (see here).

All activities included. When you’re not writing, or for spouses who
accompany you, there is plenty to do. The resort has an indoor pool, whirlpool
and sauna, a well-equipped exercise room, and a games room with pool,
shuffleboard, ping pong, and foosball. The beautiful Lake Simcoe setting offers
idyllic opportunities for biking and hiking, with the resort featuring its own
nature trails and with other trails three kilometers down the road at Sibbald
Point Provincial Park. And of course there are plenty of nooks around the
resort that are ideal for reading, resting and unwinding.

Check-in on Friday is 4 p.m. Our first writing get-together will be at 5
p.m. On Sunday we'll have our last writing get-together at 10 a.m., ending at
11 a.m. Check out is at 12 noon. (though we may push the Sunday schedule an
hour later if the resort isn't full and they can accommodate a 1 p.m. check
out) But once you’ve had lunch, don’t feel you have to rush off! You can stay
for the rest of the day, enjoying the amenities of the resort. Participants are welcome to bring a non-participating
significant other.

Instructor Brian Henry has been a book editor and creative writing
instructor for more than 25 years. He publishesQuick Brown Fox, Canada’s
most popular blog for writers, teaches creative writing at Ryerson University
and has led workshops everywhere from Boston to Buffalo and from Sarnia to
Saint John. But his proudest boast is that he has helped many of his
students get their first book published and launch their careers as authors.

Fee, including both the writing retreat and accommodation, meals, coffee &
snack service, and all resort amenities: $345.135 per night plus 13% hst

or $690.27 for the
weekend, plus 13% hst

Not included: Tips
(probably easiest just to leave $20 – $30 for the wait staff when you check
out), alcoholic drinks (or any drinks bought at Drinkwaters Lounge), spa
services, or other extras.

Bring a (non-participating)
significant other
along for the weekend to share your room for an additional $238.94 plus hst for
both nights (includes accommodation, meals and all resort amenities, but not
the writing part of the retreat).

Note: Bookings for accommodations
for this retreat must be done through Brian (unlike our retreats in Algonquin,
where you book your accommodations through the resort).

Who can attend the retreat?

Everyone interested in developing
their writing skills is welcome to attend, whether you're aspiring writer or an
accomplished author or simply enjoy writing as a hobby. There is no
requirement for you to have been previously published or even to have an
intention to publish.

I'm a poet / playwright / other
writer. Is this retreat for me?

The retreat is open to anyone who
enjoys writing. Instruction will focus on narrative writing; i.e., stories,
whether fiction or memoir. But if you’re an essayist or poet or whatever,
you’re entirely welcome.

Should I bring my work in progress?

Yes, if you have an on-going writing
project, bring it with you! If you’re not currently working on anything, don’t
worry, we’ll get you writing.

Should I bring my laptop?

Yes, if you prefer to work on your
laptop. If you prefer to work on paper bring that. Or bring both.

Can you cater to specific dietary
requirements?

Yes. But you need to let me know at least a week ahead of time, so I can let the staff know about your
needs.

The Briars, with a view of the tower, where you'll find writing tables set up

I want to stay longer or arrive
early. Is that possible?

If you want to arrive early or stay
longer, that’s fine. You’ll book the Friday and Saturday night with Brian, and arrange
any additional nights with the resort; just make sure they know you’re with
Brian Henry’s writing group.

Is there cell phone reception and
WIFI?

Yes.

How about alcohol?

The resort serves alcohol with meals
and has a licensed lounge called Drinkwaters. Guests are also welcome to bring their own wine,
beer or whatever for consumption at our own lodge. (Though do note that
Hemingway’s advice to write drunk, mostly produces drivel.)

Can I bring my spouse (or partner or
friend)?

If you want to share your room with a
partner, they’re very welcome. Just let them know you’ll be spending most of
your time writing, (though you will have some free time every day).

Brian Henry has been a book editor, writer, and creative writing instructor for more than 25 years. He teaches creative writing at Ryerson University. He also leads weekly creative writing courses in Burlington, Mississauga, Oakville and Georgetown and conducts Saturday workshops throughout Ontario. His proudest boast is that he has helped many of his students get published.